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Read Quotes by Top Tennis Players- Andre Agassi Arthur Ashe Tracy Austin Victoria Azarenka Boris Becker James Blake Nick Bollettieri Bjorn Borg Mary Carillo Pat Cash Michael Chang Kim Clijsters Jimmy Connors Jim Courier Lindsay Davenport Novak Djokovic Chris Evert Roger Federer David Ferrer Vitas Gerulaitis Brad Gilbert Evonne Goolagong Steffi Graf Daniela Hantuchova Ryan Harrison Justine Henin Tim Henman Lleyton Hewitt Martina Hingis John Isner Goran Ivanisevic Ana Ivanovic Jelena Jankovic Andrea Jaeger Billie Jean King Maria Kirilenko Anna Kournikova Ivan Lendl Amelie Mauresmo John McEnroe Andrei Medvedev Andy Murray Anatasia Myskina Li Na Rafael Nadal David Nalbandian Martina Navratilova John Newcombe Yannick Noah Petra Kvitova Andy Roddick Patrick Rafter Marat Safin Pete Sampras Maria Sharapova Stan Smith Samantha Stosur Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Elena Vesnina Mats Wilander Serena Williams Venus Williams Helen Wills Caroline Wozniacki |
Billie Jean King Quotes ( Photo credit: Art Seitz ©2009 ) May 03, 2013: "We've got to get rid of the shame. That's the main thing. And Jason's going to help that. He's going to help give people courage to come out. I guarantee you he's going to feel much lighter, much freer. The truth does set you free, there's no question. It doesn't mean it's easy. But it sets you free." — Billie Jean King, tennis legend and longtime civil rights activist, who confirmed she was gay after being outed in the early 1980s, talking to the Associated Press recently about NBA veteran Jason Collins, who turned away from years of worry and silence to become the first active player in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay.October 6, 2009: "The basic lack of the unity that existed in my playing days. Too many players just seem to think about themselves." — Women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, on the worst thing about the game today, in The Sunday Times (UK).September 11 , 2007: "Pound for pound she is the best athlete I've ever seen. She's incredible and she continues to get better." — Tennis legend Billie Jean King with high praise for Justine Henin after the 5'5¾”, 126-pound Belgian won the U.S. Open for her seventh Grand Slam crown..April 17, 2007: "I think it's very hard to be an American and understand what it feels like to be a Russian who plays tennis wearing layers of clothes in the snow. Kids in America, let's face it, we have the most unbelievable life in this country, and that's why it's still the greatest country for opportunity. But once you get to fourth-, fifth-, sixth-generation Americans, I think we can say we're all a little softer." - Tennis legend Billy Jean King, on why American tennis is in crisis, in The Philadelphia Inquirer.March 1, 2007: "I think it was definitely hard for them to change because of the culture and the psyche behind it, but I'm relieved that they finally got there. But remember, it's not about the money, it's about the message it sends to women and girls around the world. Every time we can change a benchmark like this, it helps people ask in their daily life, 'Are we insisting on equality for our sons and daughters?' So that makes it a very important moment in history." - Billie Jean King,a pioneer for equal rights in sports, on Wimbledon's long-overdue decision to award equal prize money for men and women at this year's championships.August 6, 2006: "This is a show of faith and respect. And with it a sense of responsibility. I don't think I'll ever comprehend this. It's like, 'Oy vey, the responsibility.' I'm glad I'm still living. I'm not finished." - Billy Jean King, tennis pioneer and all-time great, after learning the United States Tennis Association is adding her name to the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in The New York Times..June 16, 2005: “Sharapova making the kind of money [reportedly $25 million in endorsements this year] she does is great. But there is a trade-off for these girls. They have financial security. But what sort of legacy will they leave? Everything is about outer success. When I was 15, I wanted to be the best at something. Girls today want to be famous. I think all of us realize something isn’t quite right with that."
"I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience - at least a knowledgeable audience-in almost sensual ways.. When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience."
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